England head coach Gareth Southgate has confirmed that prominent Arsenal and Manchester City players will be among the players missing from the Three Lions' ranks for Monday's friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The inaugural meeting between the two sides - which takes place at Newcastle United's St James' Park - serves as the first of two warm-up friendlies for Southgate's troops before Euro 2024.
The Three Lions welcome Iceland to Wembley in their final tune-up fixture four days later, before pitting their wits against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in Group C of the European Championships.
However, Southgate will have nowhere near his full squad of 33 available on Monday night, and he confirmed a couple of surprise absentees in Sunday's pre-game press conference.
The 53-year-old revealed that Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka and Man City defender John Stones were both following individual programmes, although there is no cause for alarm with either of them.
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England to be without nine players against Bosnia
Saka has been a stalwart for Arsenal in 2023-24 but has often picked up niggles during matches, while Stones has struggled with injuries and a lack of minutes at the Etihad in recent months.
"John has reported a bit later so hasn't worked with us, he will follow an individual programme," Southgate said. "Bukayo is fine, he will be rested tomorrow and should be available by Friday."
The duo are two of nine players who will not be at Southgate's disposal on Monday, a list also comprising late arrivals Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden and Kyle Walker due to their recent cup final commitments.
Meanwhile, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Anthony Gordon are all working their way back from injuries, although Southgate had a positive update to share on all of them, particularly the latter.
"All are progressing well. We are pleased with the progress they've made, none of them will be involved tomorrow," the England boss added. "Gordon has a chance to be available for Friday. The other two are more unlikely, let's see how far they can go."
What could England's lineup look like against Bosnia?
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In addition to the nine men already confirmed to be missing out, Southgate will not risk Harry Kane from the start; the Three Lions captain has been nursing a back problem for the past few weeks.
Instead, either Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney will spearhead the attack, but the absences of Saka and Foden will spark fierce competition for starts out wide; Cole Palmer may edge out Jarrod Bowen to deputise for the former.
Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze and Jack Grealish will scrap it out to start on the left, but there are many uncertainties in defence due to the raft of absentees, barring a guaranteed start for stand-in captain Kieran Trippier.
The Newcastle man could either start on the right or left if the equally versatile Joe Gomez is drafted into the XI, although Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa may be preferred from the start.
Marc Guehi and Lewis Dunk should be the ones to benefit from Stones and Maguire's injuries in the centre, but the uncapped duo of Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah are waiting in the wings for their England baptisms.
Ben Knapton
